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WAFL Winners & Losers - Round 15

BIG WINNERS - SWAN DISTRICTS
The ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ Swan Districts, who had knocked off league leaders Subiaco a fortnight ago only to slip up against West Perth last round, produced both their worst and their best against the Demons in securing an invaluable four premiership points.

Swans turned around a half time 25-point deficit to win by 16 points by outscoring the Demons 11 goals to three after the long break, and in doing so moved back to second on the table.

The Black and Whites now appear certain to return to finals action in September and are in the box seat to claim a berth in the Second Semi Final against the Lions.

BIG LOSERS - PERTH
In such a crucial ‘eight point game’ there was always going to be a big winner and a big loser but the way that Perth succumbed to Swan Districts would be a major concern to all at EfTel Oval.

Everything appeared to be falling into place for the Demons with dynamic forward Kane Ransted on fire in the first half but it all went pear shaped very quickly in the third term as the home side missed opportunities in front of goals and Swans gained the initiative.

A win would have left Perth just two points from second on the ladder but now they cling to fourth place by just 1% and face another vital clash with South Fremantle next Friday night where a loss will almost certainly see them drop out of the top four for the first time since Round 6.

PLAYER OF THE ROUND - DAN HUNT (WP)
When West Perth first took on Subiaco this season it was Brad Smith who gave the Falcons coaching staff the most headaches and many expected dual Best & Fairest winner Dion Fleay to be given the massive task of keeping him quiet this time around.

However, Dan Hunt was given the opportunity and played one of his best games in West Perth colours.

Hunt shut Smith almost totally out of the game until the final term and restricted his impact on the scoreboard to just two goals, his lowest return for 2008.

A feature of the defender’s game was his marking as he backed his skills head-to-head against Smith rather than simply focusing on a negating role.

ONE TO WATCH...HENRY ROBERTS (C)
Claremont has unearthed a remarkable number of first-year players in 2008 and one of the best has been Hale School product, Henry Roberts.

Roberts, who has spent plenty of time in defence this season, was given the opportunity to run through the midfield against South Fremantle and collected 35 disposals to be one of the driving forces behind the Tigers surprise victory.

Despite Claremont’s struggles this season, the club is likely to be one of the leaders come draft time when the likes of Roberts, Matt De Boer and Simpson Medallist Ian Richardson could be high on the list of prospects for many AFL clubs.

LOOKING FORWARD TO...FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTY
The last Friday night match of the season takes place next round and it should be an absolute belter with the third placed South Fremantle hosting Perth (fourth) in a match that will have a massive bearing on the final make-up of the top four.

The Demons gave the Bulldogs a touch up when they last met but the Red and Whites were missing a number of key players for that contest.

With both teams coming off disappointing losses there will be a touch of September desperation in this clash.

DAVID LINDSAY